FIELD TO TABLE

ANDIE RENNIE

Owner & Guide, Highpoint Hunting Preserve 238222 4 Line NE, Melancthon, ON Facebook: @highpointhuntingpreserve (226) 974-0759

This is an article about pheasant hunting.

If you’re still with me, you should know that I’m a relatively new hunter and this was my first time hunting pheasant. As the publisher of your favourite, little local magazine and the co-host of Canada’s Cast & Blast Podcast, I felt it fitting to include this feature in our Food & Drink edition, as well as tape a show about the experience with my good buddy, hunting partner, and host of Canada’s Cast & Blast podcast, Brian Glassey.

In pursuit of the noble quarry, it doesn’t get much better than pheasant hunting. The civilized nature of the sport avoids the calamity of freezing in a winter duck blind or sitting solo for hours on end in a tree stand waiting patiently for a deer to saunter by, something seasoned hunters may well appreciate. For myself, a newbie hunter, I sought out Highpoint Hunting Preserve in Dufferin County, just outside of Dundalk.

Owner & Guide, Andie Rennie, was gracious to have Brian and I visit the Preserve and I’m grateful for having the opportunity to meet him and hunt on his land. He spent a good deal of time with us sharing stories of legendary moose hunts in Northern Ontario; the kind of intangible benefits of hunting with an experienced guide like Rennie who spent his formative years living in the South Etobicoke neighbourhood of Long Branch - a place near and dear to my heart.

Now, it should be known that hunting pheasant without the help of dogs is next to impossible. Rennie supplied two dogs for our hunt. Both Llewellin Setters from the same litter; first was Bruno who did the lion’s share of the work and then Molly came into the game as the day became hotter and Bruno began to tire. Without their skill and perseverance, Brian and I would still be out there walking aimlessly through the scenic acreage with our 12-gauges.

It’s an amazing experience watching the dogs as they sniff out the hidden quarry and

Bruno at rest Molly in action

then retrieve them once downed. We made some good shots, bad shots, and even a noshot. I failed to remove the safety on my gun at one point as a hen flew successfully away from me. In all, Brian and I harvested five roosters (pheasants of the male persuasion), a hen, and a chukar - a tasty little cousin of the pheasant. We parted ways with Rennie and home I went to prepare my feast.

As I tend to do when lucky enough to bring home game, I happily did all the dirty work on the tailgate of my pick-up with the help of our three-year-old son. Later that afternoon, once our eldest son was home from school, we cooked the chukar over an open flame as if surviving in the wilderness and, in a more sophisticated fashion, barbecued the three pheasants - stuffing them with slices of home-grown apples and pears, glazing them with garlic-infused honey, and finishing them with a light sprinkling of sea salt and black pepper. I like to keep these things simple.

The boys loved both the chukar and the pheasant, but the true test awaited.

Would my wife like the taste of pheasant? My future hunting trips hung in the balance.

After some hesitation (she’s still getting used to the taste of wild game), she tried it and, let’s just say, this won’t be my last hunting article!

Thank you again to Andie Rennie of Highpoint Hunting Preserve for a wonderful experience; one most definitely worth repeating.

If you’re interested in a nearby pheasant hunt, I’d highly recommend giving Andie Rennie a call. He offers group hunts as well as trap shooting. He also helps train dogs and sells an all-natural dog food that he feeds his own pups; Dyce’s Naturally Raw. After all, a pheasant hunt is just a leisurely walk without a good dog by your side.

Catch the coverage of this hunt on Canada’s Cast & Blast Podcast and watch footage of our good, bad, and no-shots at www.castandblast.ca. Brian Glassey ready to hunt Host, Canada’s Cast & Blast Podcast

CANADA The author harvests his first pheasant Photo by: Brian Glassey

It seems that most artists or enablers of art who have been discussed in this column have been imports to Grey County. In East Coast parlance, they have “come from away”. This month, the subject is a lifelong resident of Grey County and, in addition to that, has been fostering cultural growth in our community for over 41 years.

Wilda Allen, the current CEO of the Grey Highlands Public Library, will retire on December 31, 2021. She was born and grew up on a farm in Dundalk and attended Grey Highlands Secondary School in Flesherton. Her great grandmother, Edith Campbell, was a distant cousin to Agnes Macphail. Her contribution to cultural life in Grey County began somewhat inauspiciously. Following Labour Day in 1980, she started as the Chief Librarian of the Flesherton Library, which was located on the main floor of a house on Elizabeth Street. At the time, it was a 12-hour-a-week job managing an annual budget of around $8,000. She supervised the night librarian who worked one four-hour shift per week. Only the summer student, who had a 35-hour week, was fulltime.

Wilda has seen many changes to the library during her tenure, from the single site she managed to the addition of the Markdale, Kimberley, and an internet virtual branch following amalgamation. She was actively involved in the expansion of the Flesherton Library, learning as much as she could about creating the ideal community hub with visits to other Ontario libraries as they expanded and witnessing the progress of the community-built Markdale Library as it was being erected. All this would help in her role as the project manager for the new Flesherton Library building.

As important as these accomplishments were, Wilda’s biggest impact during her career was her contribution to the cultural life of Grey County. In 1988, she took advantage of a writer-in-residence government program and enlisted the services of Penn Kemp, a poet and novelist. This led to readings from other writers and poets, most notably Dave McFadden. The positive experience this meant for the community led to the Harvest Café series of readings in 1994, where prominent Canadian writers and poets presented their work to our community. Dozens of these were held in the years since, in addition to Canada Council readings, featuring such writers as Dan Needles, Gail Bowen, Helen Humphries, Arthur Black, Alan Maitland, William Deverell, Jennifer Robson, Ted Barris (multiple times), and Douglas Gibson among many others. But it was the first which was perhaps the most memorable. Stuart McLean, the iconic Canadian raconteur, entertained those in attendance with his charm and his wit. His characteristic gentle nature was evident when he was asked to judge the winning pumpkin in a contest. Not wanting to offend the owners of the multiple losing entries, Stuart simply chose the smallest one.

It is impossible to document all of Wilda’s cultural achievements for our community. In recent years, she has raised more than $2 million dollars in government grants for initiatives that elevated our cultural life. Along with the Museum, she facilitated a series of cultural roundtables, which led to the formation of the first and only Cultural Channel administered by an Ontario library and resulted in a videographer on staff documenting local history as it happens. Her efforts during the sesquicentennial year led to the selection of a local Poet Laureate, which the library hopes to renew in 2022, and a Gala at Grey Highlands Secondary School. Add these to the day-in, day-out activities of a community hub - the children’s readings, the summer program, the movie nights, the maintenance of community meeting rooms, the Arts Contests for aspiring creators - and you have a thing of wonder, indeed. Certainly, fertile ground for her successor to work with.

Job well done, Wilda.

KEVIN ARTHUR LAND

Owner, Speaking Volumes Books and Audio 12 Toronto Road, Flesherton kevinarthurland@gmail.com www.kevinarthurland.ca

Kevin Arthur Land is a playwright, screenwriter, arts educator, and the owner of Speaking Volumes Books and Audio in Flesherton.

Speaking Volumes Books and Audio

“Experience is the hardest kind of teacher. It gives you the test first and the lesson afterwards.”

-Oscar Wilde

12 Toronto Rd. Flesherton, ON 905-719-8878 homelandk@sympatico.ca

@speakingvolumesflesherton

The weather is turning chilly, the fall colours have started to appear and with that October marks the beginning of the waning year, reminding us to review and give thanks for all the success – big and small – as well as the life lessons that we’ve experienced.

So far, this year has delivered many changes in all aspects of our lives and the local real estate market is no exception with marked dramatic effects: values have been soaring, driven by the steady migration of people moving out of the city and into Grey County. As well, local industries are thriving, new developments are underway and major investments are being made in our communities.

There are other forces that influence the fall market. Buyers and Sellers generally become more motivated this time of year by a desire to move before the snow arrives. With the number of properties available for sale at an all-time low and a continued demand for all

I would like to sincerely thank the constituents of Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound for providing the opportunity to serve our great community once again in the 44th Parliament. Specific issues that were highlighted throughout the recent campaign that I will seek to address in the House of Commons include: labour shortages, rural infrastructure including highspeed internet/broadband, meat processing capacity, affordability, and specifically affordable housing.

Election campaigns require a dedicated team of volunteers along with incredible family support.

I cannot thank my team enough for their continued support throughout the recent campaign. Further, I would like to recognize the other candidates for their efforts and for running respectful campaigns. It takes great personal sacrifice and dedication to the community to put your name on the ballot. Finally, thank you to all those constituents who voted and partook in this democratic right that many other countries around the globe are lacking. Continuing to serve as your Member of Parliament is a humbling privilege. I remain committed to serving our riding honourably and representing all constituents in Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound.

property types, it seems that the strength in our market will hold.

So, as the temperature is heading down, the real estate market continues to heat up. What will this last quarter bring? Projections are pointing in a positive direction; we don’t have that magic “crystal ball” to predict the future but we do have years of experience and the know-how to assist our clients make the necessary decisions about their real estate affairs. We are living in a rapidly changing world and we, at Grey County Real Estate, strive to help you make your move with relative ease and confidence.

We also take this opportunity to wish everyone a Safe and Happy Thanksgiving.

ERIC ROBERTSON, BROKER

GREY COUNTY REAL ESTATE INC. 39 Main St E, Markdale www.greycountyrealestate.com 519-986-2552

ALEX RUFF THANK YOU!

ALEX RUFF, MSC, CD, MP Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound

176 SempleLane, Eugenia Picture Perfect, 2+2 bedroom bungalow, steps away from Eugenia Falls, Bruce Trail, and Lake Eugenia

For Sale: $829,000

837017Taylor Dr, HollandCentre Beautiful home surrounded with 10 acres of forest. The home features main floor living with an open concept design.

For Sale: $949,000

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MARKDALE 519- 986 - 2552

3480854thConcessionB, Maxwell The raised bungalow sits on a rolling 1.18 acre property with pond and long pastoral views forest.

For Sale: $959,000

4446178 Concession, West Grey Custom built home with detached heated double garage, 5 minutes from Markdale and directly across from 400 acres of County forest. For Sale: $949,000